Transcript Highlights:

• I've never had anybody tell me how much they made in terms of quarterly wages.
• The linchpin in all that is modernizing and updating your UI wage records.
• They still haven't enhanced their wage records in Mississippi, as far as I know, unless it's happened
• He just needs those enhanced wage records.
• He just needs those enhanced wage records.

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Nick Moore, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Office of Career and Technical Education, on efforts to better align workforce, education, and human services programs. Moore argued that WIOA, Perkins, and ESSA were designed to function as an integrated talent system, but that federal and state bureaucracy has kept them siloed. He said the Department of Labor and OCTAE are working on more integrated state plan guidance, including a 2026 plan modification timeline, combined Perkins/WIOA plans, and greater use of labor market information to align training with in-demand jobs and Workforce Pell. Moore emphasized reducing overhead, cross-training staff, using common intake and integrated case management, and focusing on the “shadow labor force” of people facing benefit cliffs, child care barriers, or other obstacles to work. He repeatedly urged states to use waivers and flexibility where possible, to consolidate or streamline local workforce structures, and to hold programs accountable through measures such as labor force participation, training-related employment, retention, and cost per successful outcome. Members asked about the balance between flexibility and accountability, the role of employers versus postsecondary institutions, rural “training deserts,” state waivers, and data systems such as Mississippi Spark and Arkansas Launch. Moore said states should use technology and integrated intake to co-enroll eligible participants in multiple programs and better match people to jobs. In response to questions, Moore said some federal rules cannot be waived, but many reporting and administrative requirements can be streamlined, and he encouraged Arkansas to propose ideas for waivers or state-level integration. He also discussed the need for enhanced wage records and state longitudinal data systems to improve workforce planning and economic development. After Moore’s presentation, DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Director Jay Hill gave a brief update on reimbursement rates, saying the department had compiled more than 100 public comments, recommended holding the current rate, and was awaiting executive review; they estimated the process could take 30 to 60 days. The committee then adjourned, noting a later audit presentation scheduled for the afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. The amendment is adopted. There are amendments at the desk.
• There being 66 yeas and 66 nays, the motion does not prevail. The amendment is not adopted.
• yeas and 66 nays, the motion<00:18:55.520><c> does</c><00:18:55.679><c> not</c><00:18:55.840><c> prevail
• </c><00:18:56.159><c> The</c><00:18:56.240><c> amendment</c> motion does not prevail.
• The amendment motion does not prevail.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• congressional redistricting plan is adopted, and we'll use whatever he calls. ...a bullet in his belt to prevail
• minority accusations were proven right by the NAACP, MALDEF, and... ...the Democratic Party have prevailed
• I am convinced that if justice prevails in the U.S.
• Supreme Court, Democrats and minorities will prevail in contesting the 2021 and the 2025 elections. .
• Today the majority will prevail, but the rights of minorities were ignored.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. Chair moves to reconsider the vote.
• Motion prevails. Chair withdraws the committee substitute.
• Motion prevails.
• There being 11 ayes, 0 nays, motion prevails. Chair lays out Senate Bill 2487 as pending business.
• There being 7 ayes, 4 nays, motion prevails. The Chair lays out Senate Bill 125.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. The chair lays out Senate Bill 2405.
• There being six ayes, three absent, no nays, the motion prevails.
• There being five ayes, four absent, no nays, the motion prevails.
• The motion prevails. The chair lays out Senate Bill 1080.
• There being four ayes, four absent, the motion prevails.

Bills: HB1826, HB1969, HB2708, HB2729, HB3618, HB4515, HB4764, SB1021, SB1610

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, inmate release, identification certificate, Texas Department of Corrections, personal identification, driver's license, state law, reentry services, nondisclosure, criminal history, criminal defendants, community supervision, misdemeanors, felonies, rehabilitation, hearsay

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails, and the minutes for March 26, 2025 are approved.
• The motion prevails. House File 1011 is recommended to be placed on the general register.
• Motion prevails, and House File 1010, as amended, is referred to the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
• The motion prevails, and the amendment is adopted.
• The motion prevails, and the amendment is adopted. Thank you, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just won $5,000 in back pay for a worker whose wages were stolen.
• And, yeah, so another point I wanted to talk about was just the fair wages.
• Our wages have gotten up.
• Our wages have gotten up.
• Our wages have gotten up.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its fourth hearing, with opening remarks from Senate Chair Adam Gómez and House Chair Dan Donahue emphasizing the committee’s broad agenda, including retail modernization, labor protections, advertising rules, sustainability, and financial resources. Testimony began with public health advocates supporting H.157/S.9 to ban cannabis billboard advertising, arguing that billboards normalize use for youth and are linked to cannabis-related harms such as psychosis, addiction, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Witnesses cited research, family stories, and court decisions in Mississippi and Virginia upholding similar restrictions, while committee members questioned the scope of the state’s authority to regulate billboards on private property and the relevance of federal highway funding and federal cannabis law. The committee also heard testimony on H.175, a proposal to allow cannabis drive-through sales. A dispensary operator argued drive-throughs would improve access, especially for disabled customers and veterans, and said security and ID checks could be handled with cameras and staff screening. Committee members pressed him on how employees would assess impairment, whether drive-throughs could increase access for minors, and whether the industry should be treated like alcohol, with the witness responding that staff already refuse service to intoxicated customers and that education, not prohibition, is the better approach. Another bill, H.3982, would apply the bottle deposit law to carbonated hemp- or THC-infused beverages; the sponsor said the measure would standardize recycling requirements for products already sold in dispensaries and other markets, and members asked about container types and recycling compatibility. A major portion of the hearing focused on labor peace agreements, with UFCW representatives, cannabis workers, and Sen. Lydia Edwards supporting S.77/H.161. They said the bill would require cannabis businesses to remain neutral when workers seek to organize, arguing that unions improve safety, wages, benefits, and job stability in an industry they described as underregulated and prone to retaliation. Witnesses cited workplace hazards, wage theft, and the death of a worker at a Holyoke facility as examples of why stronger worker protections are needed. Committee members asked how the proposal differs from existing labor law, whether tying LPAs to licensing and renewal could create legal or administrative problems, and how other states handle similar requirements. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a proud union shop, providing over 600 livable wage jobs — again, that's livable wage jobs that
• This facility supports over 600 livable wage jobs and is a real-world example of lowering emissions.
• have not been able to transition to Many of our lower wage earners have not been able to transition
• And I'm a firm believer that when we can offer jobs, whether it's to men or women, of a working wage,
• What are the wages and the benefits that they're going to be offering?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several budget proposals from CDTFA, the Board of Equalization, and the Franchise Tax Board. The first panel focused on cannabis, hemp, flavored tobacco, and related enforcement. CDTFA requested ongoing funding to implement cannabis tax changes, enforce the new intoxicating hemp restrictions and flavored tobacco seizure authority, and continue compliance work. The department said it is targeting illicit product, protecting licensed businesses, and using referrals from the public and lawmakers to focus inspections. The LAO supported some of the proposals but urged the Legislature to treat them as part of a longer-term enforcement strategy and raised concerns about the use of General Fund support for cannabis enforcement. Public testimony on the cannabis item largely supported stronger enforcement and funding for the legal market. The committee also heard CDTFA’s request to reappropriate funds for an upgrade to the CROS tax collection system, which would improve taxpayer services, security, and software maintenance without adding new money. A separate CDTFA proposal would make all delivery network companies, such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the change would reduce confusion for restaurants and improve compliance, while the LAO questioned whether the proposal functioned more like a tax increase because it would also capture service fees. Members raised affordability concerns, but the proposal was framed by the administration as a parity and compliance measure. The subcommittee then considered a governor’s proposal for a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit. Finance argued the credit would help decarbonize aviation and support in-state production, while the LAO recommended rejection, citing cost, uncertainty about environmental benefits, possible diversion of diesel excise tax revenues from transportation programs, and concerns about consistency with voter-approved transportation funding rules. Testimony from airlines, labor unions, airports, and refinery workers strongly supported the credit, emphasizing union jobs, refinery conversions, and emissions reductions, while fuel retailers and some others warned about fiscal risk and higher fuel prices. The chair and some members expressed support for the proposal despite the funding concerns. Finally, the BOE presented an IT modernization project for state-assessed property administration, saying the current system is outdated and manual and that a new system is needed to improve accuracy, cybersecurity, and workflow efficiency, especially with a likely increase in workload from new VoIP assessments. The LAO asked for more justification for the timing, but BOE said the urgency stems from aging systems and growing workload. BOE also requested modest funding to implement SB 293 changes to intergenerational property transfers and wildfire relief guidance, which the LAO did not oppose. The Franchise Tax Board began its presentation on the final phase of its Enterprise Data to Revenue modernization effort, describing the project’s rollout across audit, collections, legal, and filing enforcement workloads and noting it is now in a warranty period.

Transcript Highlights:

• We showed that here in the Minnesota Senate: the truth prevails, and we did a good thing for hospitals
• We showed that here in the Minnesota Senate: the truth prevails, and we did a good thing for hospitals
• We showed that here in the Minnesota Senate: the truth prevails, and we did a good thing for hospitals
• We showed that here in the Minnesota Senate: the truth prevails, and we did a good thing for hospitals

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The meeting focused on a Minnesota Senate floor debate over a bipartisan 340B enforcement bill, with supporters arguing that the measure would require pharmaceutical companies to comply with federal and state law and continue providing discounted drugs to safety-net and rural hospitals. Senators and other speakers said the program is essential to hospital finances, especially for facilities facing operating losses and federal Medicaid cuts, and warned that without enforcement language hospitals such as Hennepin County Medical Center and rural hospitals could face severe financial harm or closure. Supporters also said pharmaceutical companies had spent heavily on media and lobbying to oppose the bill and that the Senate’s bipartisan vote showed the issue had broad support. Several speakers described how 340B revenue is used to sustain hospital services, including addiction treatment, trauma care, and other essential care in vulnerable communities. They said the program was designed to let hospitals buy drugs at low cost and bill insurers at standard rates, using the difference as a funding stream. When asked about claims that hospitals made large sums from the program, supporters said that was consistent with the program’s purpose. They also said some drug companies were not complying with 340B obligations, particularly around contract pharmacies, and that enforcement language was needed to ensure compliance. The discussion also addressed HCMC’s financial situation, with speakers saying 340B funding is not a full solution but is an important support and should not be reduced further. They rejected a proposed transparency/reporting amendment as too burdensome, while noting that federal authorities already have audit power over 340B dollars. The speakers urged the House to pass the same language, said eight Republicans joined the Senate vote, and expressed hope that the bill would advance despite concerns about House support and ongoing pharmaceutical industry opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• There being five ayes and seven nays, the motion does not prevail. Representative Lee. Yes.
• ><00:12:07.760><c> motion</c><00:12:08.200><c> does</c><00:12:08.360><c> not</c><00:12:08.600><c> prevail
• ,</c> seven nays, the motion does not prevail, seven nays, the motion does not prevail, and, and, and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It clarifies that a prevailing plaintiff may recover from a driver.
• It removes a prevailing defendant's entitlement to recover damages, costs, and fees.
• It clarifies that a prevailing plaintiff may recover from a driver.
• It removes a prevailing defendant's entitlement to recover damages, costs, and fees.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails and the amendment is adopted. There are no further amendments at the desk.
• The motion prevails<00:06:22.960><c> and</c><00:06:23.199><c> the</c><00:06:23.360><c> amendment</c><
• 00:06:23.759><c> is</c> prevails and the amendment is prevails and the amendment is adopted.<00:06:25.919

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There being nine ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being nine ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being six ayes and three nays, the motion prevails.
• There being nine ayes and zero noes, the motion prevails. One second. Okay.

Bills: HB153, HB1828, HB2306, HB2498, HB3464, HB3488, HB3636, HB3673, HB3834, HB3860, HB4120, HB4937, HB1515, HB153

Keywords: education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, legislative leave, correctional officers, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, accumulated leave, compensatory time, parole eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• There being eight ayes, zero nays, the motion prevails. That is pending business: House Bill 3594.
• There being eight ayes, zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being eight ayes, zero nays, the motion prevails.
• There being eight ayes, zero nays, the motion prevails.

Bills: HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3833, HB4134, HB4233, HB4238, HB4243

Keywords: HB 3803, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 712, perpetual care cemetery, perpetual care trust fund, cemetery regulation, financial confidentiality, confidential records, regulatory examination, Texas Department of Banking, commissioner disclosure, interagency information sharing, state agency enforcement, federal agency disclosure, trust fund oversight, burial services, cemetery trust, consumer protection, state banks, Texas Finance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 10 ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails. All those in favor, please say aye.
• The motion prevails. Thank you. HB1268 is pending business.
• There being nine ayes and two nays, the motion prevails. Thank you. The Chair lays out HB1093.
• The motion prevails. Thank you, Chairman. Now you can hop to the other committee.

Bills: HB431, HB648, HB 1006, HB1926, HB2037, HB2468, HB2788, HB2791, HB3255, HB3260

Keywords: HB 431, Texas Property Code, Property Code Chapter 202, solar roof tiles, solar shingles, solar energy device, homeowners association, HOA, property owners' association, POA, renewable energy, residential solar, distributed solar, roof-mounted solar, homeowner rights, architectural control, restrictive covenants, real estate, subdivision regulations, multi-zoned subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• reimbursement as well as may recover reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs if the owner prevails
• Uh, there being 9 ayes and no nays, the motion prevails.
• There being 9 ayes and no nays, the motion prevails. OK.
• There being 9 ayes and no nays, the motion prevails. That concludes the voting.

Bills: HB24

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Transcript Highlights:

• The ayes have it, and the motion prevails.
• The ayes have it, and the motion prevails. Also, ask for a moment of silence in memory of Ms.
• The ayes have it, and the motion prevails. Also, ask for a moment of silence in memory of Ms.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate session began with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial welcomes, including recognition of the 2025 Duxbury Girls Soccer Team, the MIAA Division II state champions, and the Medfield Girls Soccer Team, the Division III state champions. Senators offered congratulatory remarks highlighting each team’s season records, championship wins, coaches, and standout performances. The chamber then took up several procedural matters and local bills. The Senate adopted a House order establishing a special joint committee on initiative petitions, passed to be enacted a bill providing for the recall of elected officers in the Town of Sharon, and adopted resolutions congratulating Oxford Fire Chief Lawrence R. McDonald on 45 years of public service. It also advanced multiple local measures for Bridgewater, Cambridge, and Natick, including bills on town council structure, temporary absence of the town manager, appointment powers, a Cambridge employment and job training trust, and a Natick home rule charter amendment. The Senate also acted on several House amendments and Ways and Means reports. It concurred in a House-amended bill on protections for individuals with disabilities after adopting a further Senate amendment with an emergency preamble, ordered a sick leave bank bill for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee to third reading, and adopted orders placing bills on the Orders of the Day for future second reading, including measures on consumer protections, CPA licensure pathways, and fair housing. The session concluded with adjournment orders and moments of silence in memory of Jim Parker and Kimberly Parker, with the Senate set to reconvene the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I’m going to change my vote to a no to go to the prevailing side, Senator.
• Okay, I’m going to change my vote to a no to go to the prevailing side, Senator.
• Okay, I’m going to change my vote to a no to go to the prevailing side, Senator.

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first and held public hearings on two Senate bills. Senate Bill 944, sponsored by Sen. Carla May, would update the statutory salary range for the City of St. Louis sheriff’s attorney, which she said has been unchanged since 1990 and no longer reflects inflation, modern legal complexity, or comparable compensation in other jurisdictions. There was brief supportive comment from Rep. Fuchs, and no witnesses appeared in opposition or for information. The hearing on SB 944 then concluded without further action. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1012, sponsored by Sen. Nicola, which would clarify that existing law applies to artificial intelligence and that humans remain responsible for AI use. The bill also addressed AI in licensed professions, companion chatbots, and political ads using generative AI. Rep. Fuchs raised a question about liability for sharing an AI-generated image, and the sponsor said the bill excludes end users from liability and is intended to create basic guardrails while preserving innovation. Testimony in opposition came from Americans for Prosperity and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Both argued the bill was overly broad and contained drafting problems, including unused definitions, cross-reference errors, and unclear metadata and liability provisions. The Chamber also said the bill would create regulatory uncertainty for industry and should be perfected before advancing. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive session on SB 1012 and voted the bill do pass, but the vote was 0 ayes and 11 noes after a member changed to the prevailing side, so the bill failed. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ayes have it, and the motion prevails.
• The ayes have it, and the motion prevails. Also, I ask for a moment of silence in memory of Ms.
• The ayes have it, and the motion prevails. Mr. Carter moves that the Senate now adjourn.

Summary: The Senate session opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial recognitions. Members welcomed the 2025 Duxbury Girls Soccer Team, the MIAA Division II state champions, and the Medfield Girls Soccer Team, the Division III state champions, with remarks highlighting their championship seasons, records, and coaches. The chamber also adopted a resolution congratulating Oxford Fire Chief Lawrence R. McDonald on 45 years of public service. On the legislative side, the Senate adopted a House order establishing a special joint committee on initiative petitions. It then passed to be enacted a bill providing for the recall of elected officers in the town of Sharon. The Senate also took up and passed several local bills on third reading, including measures relating to Bridgewater’s town council, temporary absence and appointment powers of the town manager, the City of Cambridge Employment and Job Training Trust, and an amendment to the Natick Home Rule Charter, which was amended to conform to Senate Document No. 2953 before passage. The chamber then acted on several Ways and Means reports and related orders. It concurred in a House amendment to Senate No. 2563 on laws affecting individuals with disabilities, with a further amendment and emergency preamble, and ordered several bills to second reading with Ways and Means amendments pending, including measures on consumer protections and dishonored bill transactions, the pathway to become a certified public accountant, and fair housing practices. The Senate also ordered House No. 4908, establishing a sick leave bank for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee, to third reading. Finally, the Senate adopted orders to return the next meeting to Monday at 11:00 a.m., and adjourned in memory of Jim Parker and Kimberly Parker after tributes honoring their public service and community involvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ayes have it, and the motion prevails.
• The ayes have it, and the motion prevails. Also, I ask for a moment of silence in memory of Ms.
• The ayes have it, and the motion prevails. Also, I ask for a moment of silence in memory of Ms.

Keywords: 1212, all